Fuse indicator



CCL 28, 1930. `1 B GLOWACK| 1,779,697

FUSE INDICATOR Filed Aug. 1l, 1927 :Fig/

Patented Oct. 28, 1930 UNITED ST'TS PATENT FFCE FUSE INDICATOR Application filed August 11, 1927.

This invention relates to an improved fuse indicator of the type in which a transparent cap is adapted to be discolored or displaced when a Jfuse on which the device is mounted is blown, said indicating device serving to cool and extinguish the resultant Haine even after the cap is removed.

It is an object of this invention to provide a simplilied and improved indicator for use on fuses and the like.

lt is also an object of this invention to provide a fuse indicator so arranged to permit a slow emission of smoke to enable a blown fuse to be readily identiiied.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a fuse indicator with a plurality7 of outlets and with a screw device so arranged that a predetermined passage for the escape ot smoke and the like from a blown fuse will be provided.

lt is an important object of this invention toy provide a fuse indicator with a screw which serves as a means to provide a spiral passage for the escape of smoke or theproducts of combustion resulting` from a blown fuse element, said smoke adapted to be slowly discharged through outlet openings communicating with the threaded groove of the screw and through a chamber provided within an apertured indicating cap when the device is provided with a cap.

Other and further important objects of this invention will be apparent from the disclosures in the specification and the accompanying drawings.

This invention (in a preferred forni) is illustrated in the drawings and hereinafter more fully described.

Qn the dra'wingsz' igure l 1s a side elevation of a fuse equipped with an indicator embodying the principles of this invention.

Figure 2 is a top elevation of the indicator and the fuse on which it is mounted.

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical transverse section taken on line lll-HI of Figure l.

Figure 4; is a transverse detail section of the indicator taken on line IV-IV of F igure 3.

As shown on the drawings:

Serial No. 212,238.

The reference numeral l indicates a lanuliar type ot cartridge fuse or a other 'typ-e oit inclosed ruse. The body et i l is prorided with a threaded opening 2 for removably receiving the lower threaded shank 3 which is integrally formed at the lower end of a cylin 'cal tube or housing 4, the upper end 5 oi whieh is of reduced diameter and is provided with a plurality ot radially directed outlet ap ures or pas v l tegrall T tornicd or. th exterior oi, the hcus ing l is a knurled flange or rib i" affording a seat at 8 against which the low open end of a gelatine cap 9 or the like is adapted to seat. The cap 9 is provided i. tiet aperture l0 in tao rounded top l i desired the aperture in the z be omitted. The in provided with a entends upward l, portion 5 and connects up with an internist iff' passage llqu which is 'l tlf f i the passage ll. The ei: pa wardly from said intermedi The upper end the housing por nates in a throated passaC smaller than pass lla.

into the upper id oi screw lil which projects downward the intermediate passage ll"L and en upper portion or" the plain assage l diameter of the inter' iediate Dass equal to the outer o ieter of the i portion oiE the screw ll, thereby allor i spiral outlet passz (e from the upper portion oi' the passage ll to the radial outlet ape"ture leading to the interior of the ca p "i" L.. v. secured into the lower end ot the pass l is an axially passaged sleeve or plug l structed ot libre er other hard insulating inatm al. The lower end of the orwplug l vided with a beveled tlange adapted to seat tightly against beveled sea' termed in the lower end of the housing l. i'he sleeve lei is provided for the purpose ot obstructing dust or hot metal particles, resulting from the blowing oi a 'fuse element, Yfrom entering the passage l1 and clogging` up the spiral escape passage leading to the outlet apertures 6.

vio

. cap

. Y vsome cases a llame may be formed. rlhe smoke and gaseous flames resulting ii om the blowing of the fuse element are auapted'to escape through the passage 15er the fibre` 'plug lel'and enter the passage 11 where trie velocitv is checked by contact with the lower end ofthe screw 13.. rlhe plug 1d also serves a stop to prevent dust-particles and metal particles from entering tie passage '11, thereby obviating plugging up oi the spiral escape passage. The smoie or llames resul ving from the blowing of the fuse elementare new permitted to escape by lway of the spiral passa ge afforded between the threaded shank the screw v13y and the wall of the intermediate passage 11ar connecting the Chamberll with the outlet passages G. rlChe smoke or iaines gradually reach the outlet apertures 6 entering` the chamber within the cap 9 at a diniinished velocity. The smoke or llames re sulting from the blowing of the fuse element `on entering the cap 9 impinge against' the inner-face of the gelatine cap 3 acting to dis color the same so that it will afford al visible signal. to show an observer that 'a particular fuse has been blown. ln case the action of the blowing of the fuse element is` violent the pressure developed may blow the gelatine oil of the housing il, thereby also indicating in which fuse the element has been blown.

lf the fuse element is blown by an electric current wl ich is only slightly in excess of the Vcurrent-the circuit is intended to carry', in-

stead of an explosive action,'the smoke from the: blown fuse element will emerge slowly through the spiral outlet passage and the apertures (5 to till the cap 9 with smol're. rlfhe smoke in the cap will slowly discharge through the perforation .10 so that a line steady stream of smoke will serve as anadditional indication by which an observer may easily. identify a blown' fuse. n stream of smoke persists for some minutes after kthe blowing of the fuse, the observer is given suiiicient time to reach the fuse and see the smoke evenV if the fuse is mounted in the cellar andthe results of the blowing of the fuse is noted in some other part of the house holes 6 is sufiicient .violent blowing of the fuse. 1 Y resulting from the blowing of Lne fuse eledue to the failuie of lights or other circumstances.

The tortuous character of the passage aiilorded by the screw 13 leading to the outlet iindingtheir way to the outside of the fuse cartridge even in tl e ment is, therefore, reduced to a minimum. 1

Referring to Figure 3, it will be noted that A s such ato prevent flames fromV case of a suddenand Danger of lire 'threaded at one en'dto permit mountingv of the lower end of the screw 13 projects downwardly into the passage 11 below the lower` end ofthe intermediate passage 11a. This arrangement is provided to obviate clogging of the spiral passage between the screw 13 and the wall of intermediate passage 11a of the'housing Ll, since the end surface of said screw 13 acts as a stop surface'for the accumulation'of any of the products resulting from the blowing of the lfuse element which may possibly find their way into the passage 11 'through the plug 'passage 15. V @logging of the spiral outlet passage between the screw 13 and the wall of the intermediate passage 1la is thus obviated.

l am awarethat many kchanges may beV made, and numerous details'of construction Vmay be varied'through a wide range without departing from vthe principles of thisinveiition, andl therefore do not purposeli'miting 'the patent granted nereo'n, otherwise than necessitated bythe prior'art. f

l claimV as mv invention:

1.' The combination witha Vfuse having a threaded opening therein, ofan indicator Vhousing removably threaded in said opening,

said'indicator housingfhaving a plurality of escape apertures and an axial passage therein, a screw threaded into one endof said indicator housing affording spiralV escape passage leadingfroni the indicatorhousing passage to 'said apertures, a'passaged'plug secured inthe otherV end of said indicator housing, and an apertured gelatine capfengaged on said indicator housing to inclose the aperturedend thereof and said screw.

'2. A fuse indicator comprising a body eaterio'rly threaded on `oneend to permit A Vmounting of the saine and havingl the other end of reduced diameter, said `housing having` a plurality of Vradial apertures in the' reduced end thereof communicating with an intermediate aizial passage in said housing, said Vhousing also having a reduced threaded pas- /sage in one end thereof, afscrewthreaded into "reduced end of'said housing.

3. A'fuse'vindicator comprising a housing `having radial apertures in one end thereof and an axial passage of varying diameter one end of which is threaded, a screw adjustably engaged inthe threaded end' of said housing and projecting past said' apertures, a passaged'plug'in the opposite end of said housing, anda capengaged on said housing to i'nclose'the screw and the apertured end of said housing.

4. A fuse indicator comprising ahousing the same, a linurled flange integrally formed en said housing, said housing having the upper end thereof of reduced diameter and interiorly threaded, said housing also having a pluralityv of radially directed outlet apertures communicating with an intermediate plain axial passage which communicates with a slightly enlarged plain end passage, a screw adjustahly threaded into the threaded end of said housing, with said screw projecting through the intermediate 'passage and past said radial apertures into the enlarged plain end passage or" said housing, a passaged plug secured in the opposite end of said housing, and an apertured cap removably engaged on the housing with the open end oi said cap seating on the housing iange.

5. A fuse indicator comprising a ianged housing having a graduated longitudinal passage and radial apertures therein, a screw threaded in one end of said housing and eX- tending` past said apertures, a passaged plug secured in the other end of said housing, and a gelatine cap on said housing inclosing the screw and the apertured end of said housing.

6. A fuse indicator comprising a housing having a graduated passage and apertures therein, cap engaged on said. housing, and adjustable means in said housing inclosed by said cap to atord a tortuous passage for the escape o'l' the resultant 'products caused by the blowing or' the Jfuse element in a `fuse on Which the indicator may be mounted.

7. A fuse indicator comprising a housing having radial openings therein and a graduated axial passage, means in one end of said housing to provide a tortuous passage communicating with said openings, and a passaged plug engaged in the opposite end of said housing to obviate clogging up of said tortuous passage by particles resulting from the blowing of a fuse element.

In testimony whereof have hereunto sub scribed my name.

JOHN B. GLGVACKI. 

